Author
Mrs THEODORA
Organisation/Institution
Central China Normal University (CCNU)
Country
CHINA
Panel
Law and Society
Title
Towards an Asian Legal Community: The Role of Restorative Justice as Common Ground
Abstract
Abstract Recent economic and political shifts in Asia have intensified calls for legal systems that enable justice, social sustainability, and regional integration. This study argues that Restorative Justice (RJ) provides a substantive and culturally adaptive pathway to these goals in Asia, standing as a compelling alternative to conventional retributive models. Through qualitative, comparative analysis of RJ approaches in Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan, including their legal philosophies, procedures, and outcomes, this research demonstrates that RJ not only supports national reform but also lays the groundwork for regional legal harmonization. Vignettes illuminate how cultural narratives and rituals embedded in each country’s RJ practice advance both reconciliation and integration. The findings show that each country’s unique RJ model, Indonesia’s blend of statutory law and local wisdom, Singapore’s institutionalized programs, and Japan’s informal, culturally rooted mechanisms, embody shared principles that prioritize victims and reconciliation. Tangible metrics such as reduced reoffending, higher victim satisfaction, and lighter court backlogs substantiate RJ’s transformative impact. Ultimately, the study contends that RJ is a pivotal driver for a unified, equitable, and sustainable Asian legal community, offering clear indicators and shared values for regional legal integration. Keywords: Restorative Justice, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Asian legal community
Biography
Theodora, SH., MH, is a functional prosecutor at the North Jakarta District Attorney's Office and often handles minor criminal cases, resolving them through the restorative justice system in the North Jakarta jurisdiction. However, since 2023, she has been enrolled as a doctoral candidate at Central China Normal University in Wuhan, China, majoring in international relations. She graduated from the Faculty of Law at Parahyangan Catholic University with a bachelor's degree in 2003. She then pursued a master's degree at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, from 2011 to 2013.
